First time I ever drove my Duchess on public roads, it snowed. Not a lot. But enough to christen the car. I finished her in December 1982. And was going to drive her no matter what.Coldest drive is probably a tie between the Pumpkin run a couple years ago and heading to the VA Beach show a couple years ago.Air temp was around 30 degrees both…[Read more]

I can’t believe I didn’t think about this until now. But there is another major issue to consider if you want to switch to an original TD windshield frame.Your TDr roof and side curtains will not work with an original frame. And I’m not sure if they can be made to work. Not trying to dampen your enthusiasm. I just want you to go into this as well…[Read more]

…the April showers are not as bad as the Jan/Feb cold and ice.  My blood must have really thinned out since I moved to NC 30 ears ago.  I prefer to leave that cold weather driving to folks in higher latitudes, like Ed and Bill and Paul….and that Michigan, Minnesota, Montana etc. crowd.

What about “The April Showers?”

I guess the easiest solution would be a  Vicenc-style plan modified for the South — park it in January and take it out again when rains end in March…:-)

I had quarter windows installed on the first top. I was driving the car on a daily basis for a couple years and these windows greatly improved visibility making it safer to drive.

Hey Ed,

[Read more]

The TD side curtains and steel frames are a thing of beauty (if not practicality)–the only thing that definitively separates the replica from the original at a glance. 

[Read more]

Some previous discussion on the subject, with measurements.

[Read more]

Aw come on Jack, you need Vicenç for that? 

[Read more]

I’m really sorry that I did not get a picture of Jack trying to get into his BCW with side curtains installed and zipped up.  …..and sorry that I suggested unzipping the top a bit to allow easier entry.  But it seems that Jack is under the impression that the Brits had to undergo similar contortions to get in and out.  Not so.  Original (re…[Read more]

Langan, will try to find the thread.But it probably won’t matter what kit the owner was working on. Just about all replica TD cowls have the squared off corners. As Ed said, hack ’em off and apply new ‘glass to match the correct profile.

Hey Vicenç

[Read more]

Jack, you should be glad that you are as compact as you are. It makes that chore much easier.

That is the BCW cap, per the original kit. I kind of wish it said “PETROL” instead of “GAS” but you can’t have everything now, can you?

@ Ric.  Is this what your BCW and Edsnova has on it?  

I owned my car about a month and lost the gas cap . Someone told me that it looked like one off a boat . I stopped a local marina store where he reached under the counter and pulled out a box of used chrome ones that they fished out of the water that were lost when the boat got gas . They looked like the one I lost . 6 bucks . Problem solved .

Jack, is that a Reial Automobil Club de Catalunya badge on the front of that fine looking car????  

I put Montse away in December and she doesn’t come out until after the first rain in Spring.  Life is tough in this frozen hell.

That hand sticking out of the side curtains is incredibly realistic.  It almost looks like someone is in the car!  Do you also have one of those fake legs you can hang out the back of the trunk?  LOL